Black-eared Rice Rat, Handleyomys melanotis (Thomas, 1893), is a small, abundant rodent thought endemic to Mexico. We present a new record of this rat on Cocinas Island off the Chamela coast of Jalisco, Mexico. On this protected island located at 19.5°N, 105.1°W, we captured 11 specimens with the physical characteristics that confirm their identity as H. melanotis. We explore the possible implications of this species on Cocinas Island.
Context Continental islands are important conservation targets because of their ecological singularities. In the Mexican Pacific, the Chamela Bay Islands Sanctuary in the state of Jalisco is little or not studied at all in terms of biodiversity. Aims The aim of this study is to contribute to the management plan of the sanctuary by presenting a detailed analysis of native vegetation surveys of three islands of the sanctuary. Methods We used quadrats and treks to record and compare plant diversity, species richness, and structure of woody and cacti vegetation of the islands of Cocinas, La Pajarera, and San Agustín. Key results There are 42 woody and seven cacti species on the three islands (Cocinas 28, La Pajarera 17, San Agustín 30), which represent 9% and 42% of the woody and cacti species recorded regionally, respectively. The islands harbour 20 endemic Mexican species (regionally, 8.6% of woody and 30% of cacti species) and four species in some threatened category (regionally, 0.4%). Plant species richness and vegetation structure differ among the three islands, which shared only seven species. Conclusions The richness and abundance of woody and cacti species on the three islands (total area: 55.5 ha) that include Mexican endemic and threatened species emphasise the importance of protecting the whole islands. Implications The islands need a more active vigilance to avoid induced fires and vegetation removal. Our results point out these factors as the major threats for the islands’ conservation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.